Ebonyi Info Commissioner Slams Sahara Reporters for Unprofessional Attack on Govt
The Ebonyi State Government has strongly condemned a publication by Sahara Reporters, titled “Amid Rising Killings, Ebonyi State Government Splashes N8.3billion On Purchase Of Official Vehicles,” describing it as “a malevolent diatribe” and “a rape of professionalism.”
According to Engr. Jude Okpor, Honourable Commissioner for Information and State Orientation, in a statement made available to THE VOICE, stated that the publication is a clear evidence of Sahara Reporters’ “unbridled gluttony and junk journalism,” sacrificing “conscience and human empathy on the altars of inordinate gains, having no regard for the sanctity of life.”
Okpor questioned the connection between the purchase of official vehicles and the recent massacre in Amagu Nkalaha, Ishielu Local Government Area, which left over ten people dead and property worth millions destroyed. “How could a media organization worth its name choose to ridicule itself in public domain over the black Sunday event?” he asked.
The Commissioner emphasized that Ebonyi State has remained one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria, with a cumulative casualty rating of only 1% from diverse forms of insecurity, according to the African Centre for Media, Governance, and Peace Building.
He also clarified that the N8.3 billion expenditure was part of last year’s budget, and the state government had already provided a comprehensive clarification on the matter.
The statement in parts: “By reporting that the N8.3 billion was spent on the purchase of only 20 vehicles at a self-calculated unit price of an average of N417 million, Sahara Reporters has once again displayed their naked ignorance. The state government from part of the said amount has prudently purchased vehicles for the medical doctors in general hospitals, Hiace buses for EBOTRANS, Ambulances for General Hospitals, Vehicles for Commissioners, Senior Special Assistants and Special Assistants as well as other aides and top government officials.
On the budget performance data quoted in the report, suffice it to say that Sahara Reporters in their calculated mischief simply pecked the government published document, deliberately ignoring its holistic excellence but dwelling only on a very insignificant component which suits their nefarious intentions. They feigned ignorance of the fact that some of the sector concerns may have been addressed as an integral part of project execution in multiple other sectors bearing in mind that the 2024 approved budget (including supplemtary budget) stood at *392.7* billion, with *306.3* billion, expended.”Okpor stated
The state government warned Sahara Reporters to desist from incisive publications and seek clarifications when in doubt. “For gloating over the recent misfortune on the state, Sahara Reporters should get prepared to answer pertinent questions that might arise as a result of their actions,” Okpor concluded.